Max Verstappen says he still considers himself Formula 1’s best driver, even after losing the title for a second straight season. He credited his own performance while acknowledging Red Bull’s early car and power-unit problems, and said recent improvements helped bring back victories. Verstappen also dismissed criticism over his on-track clash with Liam Lawson, saying they resolved the issue privately while arguing Lawson should have been more cautious.

By the Numbers
  • Verstappen won four consecutive F1 titles before missing out in the past two seasons.
  • He made his F1 debut at age 17 in 2015.
Yes, But

Verstappen’s confidence is undiminished, but he acknowledged that a driver’s results depend partly on the car. Red Bull’s early struggles limited its competitiveness before the team made progress.

Bottom Line

Verstappen remains convinced his ability is championship-caliber; whether that conviction translates into another title will depend on Red Bull giving him a car capable of winning consistently.